FOR THE DISCRIMINATING
1964-1967
CORVETTE OWNER-LOOK CLOSELY!
Up for Sale is one set of five factory original Aluminum Wheels (your choice of matched dates), by Kelsey Hayes, that fit and were available from GM on 64-66 (possibly late 63) Corvette models, Option Code P-48. To our knowledge, we are the only shop in the Country that restores these wheels on a regular, consistent basis. Further, we are the only shop in the Country that has an inventory of finished complete sets of these wheels for all the year models that they were offered as an option. We are capable of completing most any/all repairs on these wheels; TIG welding, machining, straightening, and cosmetic restoration, and can restore your wheels.
There were no \"hard stamped\" dates on L63-E65 sets of wheels-they used \"ink\" stamped dates (We believe we are the only restorer of these wheels that has accurate reproduction \"ink\" stamps for non-hard stamped wheels, and can custom match the dates to your car). However, starting about January 1965 (earliest we have seen), \"hard stamped\" dates were used and are absolutely correct for M-65 & all 66 models. Please note: pictures above are representative and not meant to be any specific set-specific wheel pictures are available upon request. Note: we can accept your un-restored, or non-matched dated wheels as credit value/trade (value depends on condition, dates, etc.) toward purchase of a set of restored wheels with matched dates, or we can restore your wheels.
Sets available: Call with your build date to see if we have a match. We do not alter or modify hard stamped dates for sale! We presently have eight sets of Knock-Off sets, completed or in the restoration process. Unfortunately, we do not presently have any Bolt-Ons, but can certainly restore your set.
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY FROM US? These wheels were one of the most rare options made available for the new Corvettes of 64-67, and over the years \"real\" wheels have become even more rare, while all the while-they have become more desirable and/or many owners want to add them to their car (remember prior to 67 there were no tank stickers, so if done correctly it is an easy option add-on. undetectable to anyone). The problem is, if the owner also plans to have their pride and joy Judged by one of the Nationally recognized organizations--THEY MUST INSTALL OEM WHEELS ONLY, OR EXPECT A VERY HEAVY POINT DEDUCTION THAT REPRODUCTIONS WILL HAVE! We have taken the guess work out of purchasing these wheels, and guarantee the finished product!
Yes, you could try to locate a decent set of 5 wheels from all the normal sources, including e-Bay or swap meets-just like we do. Problem is: most sets do not have matching dates and finding a set with a date well suited to match your car-GOOD LUCK! We constantly buy wheels: singles, sets of 4, sets of 5 and any lot size we can find. We find sets of 4 matched dates on a regular basis, but seldom is a set of 5 match dated: most sets are mixed dates, so we may buy two, three or more sets to find one or more singles needed to complete a set in order to offer matching date sets of 5-we will not alter or re-stamp to make up a set, these are all original stamps. We typically have 2 or 3 sets consistently in the restoration process. We also find, at least one, if not more in the set will have major problems i.e.: guide pin damage, broken areas in the lip or vanes, curb rash, deep nicks/scrapes, or is bent-will not run-out tru, and probably will be impossible to balance. WE CAN DO MOST ANY REPAIR! Sure, you could try to find that set of wheels on your own, but we guarantee you; they will not be in \"as delivered\" or concours d\'elegance condition and will have to be restored cosmetically-but, WE\'VE ALREADY DONE THAT FOR YOU! Our finished sets have gone through a meticulous extensive restoration process. Our pricing considers our investment at current prices and availability (we buy from the same sources you can), cost of cleaning, damage repair, our labor and coordination to get them to a very high state of restored perfection. Can\'t wait?: if you need a set quickly and we have a dated set done correct for your car, we can Exchange for an equivalent set (adjustment to core value will be done based on condition, completeness, mixed dates, etc.) We challenge you to buy and restore a set of wheels, to an equivalent workmanship and quality-for less than buying one of our sets!
This listing is for everything you need to install a set of these wheels:
5 Wheels: \"Ink Stamp\" dated, or hard stamp dated appropriately for your build date. Each has the raised casting logo \"D-49985 K-H\" (Kelsey Hayes P/N)-correct for all 63-66 wheels. Each wheel has been Restored to the highest quality: Over 20 hours labor per wheel has been spent to achieve the finish Judges expect; correct shine of polished aluminum surfaces w/correct faint longitudinal lines/marks on lips & vanes/fins (very faint lines, but they\'re there-as original), correct configuration of lips and vanes/fins, correct \"witness marks\" on rear of castings. No paint was used between the vanes in 63-64, and on all years-no paint on the backside or inner tire area (as original would have been); which, some other restorers sometimes use paint to save time and/or cover up repairs or blemishes, which is not an original technique.
4 Mounting Hub Adapters: original issue, with appropriate side indication stamped into the front surface and K-H part number cast into the back thread barrel area. Original hubs do not have lock pin slots as most reproductions do. Each hub has been re-plated \"yellow/gold\" dychromate, or silver cad, as both were originally available-your choice.
4 Spinners: 2 RH (cast 229 RH on back of 1 wing), 2 LH (cast 230 LH), which have been re-chromed (using hex-valiant chrome-\"the good stuff\") to a show finish, retaining the \"OFF arrow\" stamps and sharp edges on the \"wings\".
5 Center Cones: new reproduction steel chromed, as original (not stainless), correct for 63-65 models (63 was slightly different bead area), or \"brushed\" chrome for 66 only.
4 Spinner Center Caps: although new reproductions, the color decals have been removed and the colors \"air brush\" painted to duplicate the original application. We believe we are the only restorer currently, that air brush applies the colors vs. taking the short cut ofdecals.
5 Correct length new valve stems with correct \"dill\" caps.
20 Correct new \"long\" lug nuts (silver zinc). Gold cad (new) or restored OEM units available with an up-grade charge.Although, it is widely thought the P-48 option (Knock-Off Wheels) became available for the 63 model; however, research indicates early casting problems (caused leaking) prevented the option fromfactory delivery. It more appears, only pre-production and possibly very late cars may have had the option vs.early-mid production 63 models (most experts indicate not available until Oct 63, but we believe much earlier) . We have discovered GM internal letters and design info/dates and part numbers that indicate possible/likely availability as early as May 1963, which could support the belief this option could have been delivered from the factory on very late 63 models. No doubt many 1963 Corvettes were retrofitted with these wonderful wheels when they became available as over-the-counter parts. Our research finds official production numbers were: 1964 = 806 of 22,229 or 3.63%, 1965= 1,116 of 22,113 or 5.05%, 1966= 1,194 of 27,720 or 4.31%, and N-89 option in 67= 720 of 22,940 or 3.1%. So, RARE is an understatement! When is the last time you saw a complete set of these wheels with everything needed to install on your car in Restored Condition-probably never; other than our listings over the past several years.As a member and Judge of Corvette Associations, I have seen many, many examples of these wheels-most restorers tend to incorrectly or over restore, over polish, or paint silver/aluminum where it was originally unpainted natural material (like the backs or in between the vanes on 63-64 wheels), which will lose points. They tend to take short cuts and do most of their work on a lathe, which reduces the lip thickness (a real safety issue) and/or changes configuration. Our goal is to offer the best \"no excuses\" restoration work currently available-period! We first send the wheels out for commercial grade paint strip and acid wash, which does an excellent job of getting them back to an original aluminum appearance and preps the alloy for welding and machining. Most of our wheels have not seen a lathe or over-head mill except to tru roundness of repaired areas on the lip or hub area, if necessary. Most of the work has been done by hand: from the lip hand filing and sanding to eliminate 40+ years of \"road rash\" and uncaring tire installers (any repair work, i.e., weld repair to build up blemished material is now undetectable), to the hand filing and sanding (5 steps) of each and every one of the 36 vane/fins! You just can\'t get those original looking longitudinal marks with a rotary machine. The backs and inner tire area have an original looking turned finished (not done using a lathe with a fixed cutter), to achieve that original machined look-no other restorer/competitor (that we know of) spends the extra effort on the backside of the wheels to make them look like NEW! Wheels have all been checked with a dial indicator for truness (6 points; 3 back, 3 front steps of the lip: if not tru, they will not balance) and any \"loose hub\", and/or bends or otherdamage is repaired to original. Wheels with damaged guide pin holes or hub damage (deeper than /125\", which can be welded and machined): we have tried several processes, but the best we have found is to install aircraft high grade aluminum sleeves and overhead mill the holes & hub-this process looks and works great, and runs tru! Bent wheels (hit a curb or pot hole) are send out to awheelwright, who guarantees them to be returned within .010\" Tru after his repair. Occasionally, we get a \"leaker\": due to the pores composition of the alloy (especially in the early units), which was the reason for the delayed introduction for the 63 model. We often can tell if there was a leak problem when the valve steam hole is enlarged (GM\'s fix of the day, was to bore out the hole and install a tub). We weld up and re-machine the stem hole. Then we have found a commercially/professionally applied coating that fills the pores cavities in the inner rim air chamber, which is applied between the lips and puts a nice smooth even coating to seal the wheel-works great, and does not affect balance! No matter the damage, we have probably seen it and can repair it to run Tru and trouble free! These wheels are as close to the factory appearance that we have seen-the bright areas are shinny, but not too shinny-the configuration of lips and fins is correct-the plated hardware have all been re-plated to show quality; even the correct valve stems andcaps (\"DILL\") are present and accounted for. And, best of all-One Price Buys It All. No guess work, no hunting for small parts to complete the install. If you are serious about Originality and the Highest Degree of Craftsmanship is what you demand-these are the wheels for you! It is our opinion and that of others; there just is not a better restored set of Knock-Off or bolt-On wheels available on the market today! And, best of all-we guarantee them-when is the last time you heard of someone doing that! If you get them, and for some reason you don\'t like something about them; prior to installation of tires-send them back for a full refund, or exchange for another set (within 10 days), or repaired to your satisfaction.
Please Note: pictures within this listing may or may not be of a particular set listed, but used as examples of our work on finished products. We are a Corvette restoration shop; ReNu-A-Vette and can probably fullfill any phase of your restoration, but we specialize in K-O wheels, TI ignition and any/all suspension parts and OEM restored components. Please ask any questions-(additional pictures are available upon request-will need a direct E-Address), or send your number and we will call you at a convenient time you indicate. Don\'t see the dates just right for your car-put your request into us, we are always picking up new inventory and can probably find the set just right for your car. If lessor than the above demanding quality, or unmatched dates, etc. are more fitting to your needs, please feel free to contact us with your needs-we probably can fill your order with a more conservative budget in mind.
Do you have some original wheels that need restoring? We also restore customer wheels! Send us pictures of your wheels and we will talk about the condition; then we can give you a free estimate! We also will consider trade-in toward one of our completed match date sets!
We Buy Cores: sets or singles of wheels and/or hubs & spinners! Check our other listing for Restoration Services of: Transistorized Ignition (K-66) Distributors, amps, coils & complete systems, C-2 Vent Window Regulators with new better quality gear, C-2,3 A-Arm & T-Arms done to the highest quality with correct no point deduct usingNOS parts and GM specifications.
Have Questions? Feel free to call ReNu-A-Vette/Mike Zamora, NCRS Member #12455: [phone removed by ], or send a message, pictures of your wheels and details of the condition for an estimate to restore them.
